Latest news with #StevenageBoroughCouncil
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bus station art approved despite cyclists' concerns
A sculpture is to be put up outside a bus station despite concerns raised by a cycling group. Stevenage Borough Council's planning committee have approved plans for the 2.5m (about 8ft) artwork, showing three stacked rocks, to be installed outside the entrance to Stevenage Interchange. Jill Borcherds, of Cycling UK Stevenage, said she was not against the work but the location was not suitable. But council officers said they had consulted both the highways authority and their engineers, and the location "would meet guidance for the space left between the sculpture and the edges of footpaths". Ms Borcherds said: "The concerns we are raising are entirely related to the location and certainly not the artwork itself. "People approaching the junction from all directions need to be able to see each other to share the space safely." The work was commissioned by the council from community group Junction 7 Creatives. At the planning committee meeting, Labour councillor Lynda Guy suggested the "great" sculpture could be placed on the other side of the bus station rather than being "plonked" down in the intended location, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Liberal Democrat Stephen Booth, the leader of the opposition, suggested it could be moved "to front the actual bus station so that passers-by, motorists will see it and it would be a more suitable location". The artwork is part of a wider scheme featuring mosaics "which will all tell a story with regards to Stevenage history and also personal journeys of the residents living in Stevenage", said planning officer Ailsa Davis. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Firm pulls out of £6.1m electric bus scheme Plan for leisure centre to replace swimming pool £350m town centre revamp plans signed off Stevenage Borough Council Junction 7 Creatives Local Democracy Reporting Service
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Plan for leisure centre to replace swimming pool
A swimming centre could be demolished and replaced with a new sports and leisure facility. A planning application has been submitted to Stevenage Borough Council, which owns the swimming centre site on the edge of the town centre. The plans include a 25m, 10-lane competition swimming pool with seating for 150 spectators, a teaching pool, a splash pad, and sauna and steam rooms. It would have a six-court sports hall, a fitness suite, multi-purpose studios, a spin studio, soft play and a café. The proposed building is between three and four storeys high with the main entrance facing the Town Centre Gardens. There would be 53 parking spaces – a loss of 38 compared with the current provision – including accessible electric vehicle charging spaces. It is expected to be open from 06:30 to 10:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 20:00 at weekends. If approved, the new facility would be built on the existing car park to the south of the swimming centre. The current facility would remain operational until the new one opened, as first reported by The Comet. A statement submitted with the planning application says: "The [1960s] building has been subject to incremental refurbishment over the years, but is no longer fit for purpose and is in need of replacement." Part of the funding would be from the government's Towns Fund, after Stevenage Development Board secured £37.5m towards the town's regeneration in 2021. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Gladiator ready to hang tough at £25m gym opening Work on £31.5m leisure centre starting in autumn Two swimming pools to close due to funding issues Stevenage Borough Council
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plan for Stevenage leisure centre to replace swimming pool
A swimming centre could be demolished and replaced with a new sports and leisure facility.A planning application has been submitted to Stevenage Borough Council, which owns the swimming centre site on the edge of the town plans include a 25m, 10-lane competition swimming pool with seating for 150 spectators, a teaching pool, a splash pad, and sauna and steam would have a six-court sports hall, a fitness suite, multi-purpose studios, a spin studio, soft play and a café. The proposed building is between three and four storeys high with the main entrance facing the Town Centre would be 53 parking spaces – a loss of 38 compared with the current provision – including accessible electric vehicle charging is expected to be open from 06:30 to 10:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 20:00 at weekends. If approved, the new facility would be built on the existing car park to the south of the swimming current facility would remain operational until the new one opened, as first reported by The Comet.A statement submitted with the planning application says: "The [1960s] building has been subject to incremental refurbishment over the years, but is no longer fit for purpose and is in need of replacement."Part of the funding would be from the government's Towns Fund, after Stevenage Development Board secured £37.5m towards the town's regeneration in 2021. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Play area set to reopen after almost three years
A refurbished play area is set to reopen after it had been closed for nearly three years. The site, in Stevenage's Town Centre Gardens, was shut in the summer of 2022 due to safety issues with the flooring. The updated £250,000 facility, which will officially reopen on Monday, was designed to be inclusive for children of all abilities up to the age of 16. Stevenage Borough Council thanked everyone for their patience while it was shut. The council previously said it collaborated with the charity Make Space for Girls to get "the design right". The new equipment included a group swing, activity trail, trampoline, an inclusive roundabout, and a bespoke pirate ship. The council said it worked with local children, young people, and pupils from Broom Barns Primary School to choose five items of play equipment they wanted to see. An open day will launch at 11:00 GMT on Monday. Councillor Simon Speller, Labour cabinet member for environment, said: "I'd like to thank everyone for their patience whilst the play area at Town Centre Gardens was closed. "This is a popular and well-used site, and we wanted to make sure that the refurbished play area could be used and loved by children for years to come. "I am delighted to see the project come to fruition and hope that the new play area is enjoyed by families now and in the future." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Play area closed for two years set for £250k revamp Stevenage Borough Council Make Space For Girls
BBC News
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stevenage play ground closed for nearly three years to reopen
A refurbished play area is set to reopen after it had been closed for nearly three years. The site, in Stevenage's Town Centre Gardens, was shut in the summer of 2022 due to safety issues with the updated £250,000 facility, which will officially reopen on Monday, was designed to be inclusive for children of all abilities up to the age of 16. Stevenage Borough Council thanked everyone for their patience while it was shut. The council previously said it collaborated with the charity Make Space for Girls to get "the design right".The new equipment included a group swing, activity trail, trampoline, an inclusive roundabout, and a bespoke pirate ship. The council said it worked with local children, young people, and pupils from Broom Barns Primary School to choose five items of play equipment they wanted to open day will launch at 11:00 GMT on Monday. Councillor Simon Speller, Labour cabinet member for environment, said: "I'd like to thank everyone for their patience whilst the play area at Town Centre Gardens was closed."This is a popular and well-used site, and we wanted to make sure that the refurbished play area could be used and loved by children for years to come."I am delighted to see the project come to fruition and hope that the new play area is enjoyed by families now and in the future." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
